Yuja Wang is the brilliant soloist in a piano concerto by a longtime friend of hers: Teddy Abrams. The music director of the Louisville Orchestra, which he conducts here, describes his virtuosic piece as “an opportunity for the piano to guide us through what I think is one of the strengths of American culture, its plurality, its interconnectedness.” Featuring the World Premiere recording of Teddy Abram’s Piano Concerto.

Also written for Yuja Wang, the solo piano work You Come Here Often? is by another great friend of hers, Michael Tilson Thomas. Encompassing all manner of styles from gospel to Latin American, Teddy Abram’s Piano Concerto was premiered in Louisville in January 2022. Yuja’s solo part makes it clear how well Teddy understands her abilities. Several substantial solo cadenzas punctuate the piece, throwing the spotlight onto the woman he calls “one of the greatest pianists alive, and of all time, if I can safely say that.”